kaestner



No. 6l6,847. Patented Dec; 27, $93..

- 0. KAESTNER.

MACHINE FOR FITCHING BARRELS.

' (Application filed. May 27, 1898.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet I.

@WMW/f No. 616,847. Patented ne..'27, |a9a. G. KAESTNER. MACHINE FOR PITGHING BARBELS.

(Application filed May 27, 1898.) I No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shoat 2.

0., wAsmNsTou n c No.' 6|6,847. Patehted Dec. :27, I898.

12. KAE STNER. MACHINE FOB PITGHING BABRELS.

(Application filed May 27, 1898.) I {No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Patented Dec. 27, [898p c. KAESTNER. MACHINE FUR PITCHING BARRELS.

(Application filed May 27, 1898.) (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Shem 4.

n4: Ncmms PEYERS c0 mimcxumov, WASHINGTON, ac.

NITED STATES PATENT Erica.

KAESTNER & 00.,

OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR PITCHING BARRELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 616,847, dated December 27, 1898.

Application filed May 27, 1898. Serial No. 681,881. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES KAESTNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Pitching Barrels, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for spraying or coating the inner surfaces of beer or other kegs orbarrels with pitch, resin, or glue ina heated and liquefied state.

Prominent objects of my invention are to facilitate the operation of bringing a keg or barrel into an elevated position over the spraying-nozzle, so that when it is lowered the spraying-nozzle can enter the bung-hole in the keg or barrel, to provide means whereby a keg or barrel after having been placed .upon the machine and pitched can be removed from the machine without further handling or manipulation, to provide means for preventing premature discharge of the melted pitch from the spraying-nozzle, to provide a simple and convenient arrangement of partswhereby ready access may be had to the latter for the purpose of repair, to utilize the fumes of combustion for heating the pump without bringing the products of combustion into direct contact with the latter, and to generally simplify the operation of pitching barrels or kegs.

To these and other useful ends myinvention consists in matters hereinafter described and claimed. 7

In a machine for pitching kegs or barrels constructed in accordance with my invention a tank or vat is provided wherein the pitch, resin, or glue to be used in treating the barrels is. heated, and thereby kept in a liquid state. Above this tank and connected to receive melted pitch therefrom I arrange one or more spraying-nozzles adapted to be in troduced within the kegs or barrels by way of the bung-holes in the latter. A centrifugal pump is employed to supply the nozzles with the melted pitch, and a valve device intermediate the pump and the nozzle serves to regulate and control the discharge of the melted pitch from the said nozzle. Above each nozzle and arranged transversely the said nozzles.

to the length of the said tank or vat is a tilting skid. These skids are adapted to supportthe barrels or kegs both before and after and to a certain extent during the operation of spraying their interiors with the melted pitch and are constructed to tilt or vibrate about a horizontal axis located at one side of Each tilting skid is conveniently composed of a couple of substantially horizontal parallel bars connected to form a rigid frame and arranged, respectively, at opposite sides of v the spraying nozzle. Each tilting skid is constructed with a receiving and a delivery end portion-that is tosay, an end portion upon which the barrels are placed and rolled into position over the nozzle and an end portion along which they can roll and pass to 'a runway after the pitching has taken place. The barrel while having its interior sprayed occupies a position about midway between the pivotal point of the skid and its receiving end, and when in such position itwill be directly above the spraying-nozzle. To the end that the barrel may rest firmly and securely upon the skid while being lowered to receive the nozzle the side bars of the-skid are formed-with a bend or downward depression, within which the barrel rests upon its side and in a position transversely to the length of the skid. An adjustable weight upon the delivery end of the tilting skid tends to normally maintain the receiving end thereof in an elevated position, and a swinging pendent prop on the receiving end of the skid serves to normally hold the latter in such position. The tilting skid has suitable connection with the valve device, whereby the tilting of the skid will operate to automatically open or close the valve device, as the case may be.

An attendant standing at one side of the machine raises the barrel to be pitched to the receiving end of the skid, rolls it along to the seat, and then moves or swings the swinging prop, so as to permit the barrel, by reason of its weight, to tilt the skid and descend and .thereby receive the nozzle. The descent of the barrel and consequent tilting of the skid will automatically open the valve in the discharge-pipe and thereby permit the melted pitch to escape and spray the interior of the barrel. In order to prevent a premature discharge of the liquid before the nozzle has entered the barrel, it is desirable to provide for locking the skid in its normal position. As a simple device for accomplishing this I have provided the swinging prop already described, which serves to maintain the receiving end of the skid in an elevated position until the barrel is rolled along the skid and adjusted with its bung-hole directly above the nozzle. After a sufficient quantity of pitch has entered the barrel the receiving end of the skid is raised and the swinging prop allowed to fall in place. The barrel, thus cleared of the nozzle, will now be free to roll along the inclined skid and onto a long stationary runway for conveying it to the point desired.

The pitch or other materials to be used are delivered to the tank or vat by way of a double removable screen located above the said tank, and the drip from the spigot-holes in the barrels is collected by a trough and returned by way of the said screen to the vat or tank. The drip from the bung-holes in the barrels is also collected by a receptacle and returned to the vat through the same screen.

The centrifugal pump employed for drawing the pitch from the tank and discharging it into the barrels is arranged external to the tank or vat and within one chamber of a smoke-box located at one end of the furnace. The melted pitch is drawn from the vat by the pump and conveyed to the nozzles by way of a pipe arranged within the said tank or vat. This arrangement prevents the melted pitch from being chilled While passing from the tank to the barrels and at the same time makes the pump easily accessible for the purpose of repairs and also prevents it from becoming clogged by the products of combustion.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a pitching-machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan of the machine, the barrels in this case being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on line LU m in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the smoke-box, taken on line y y in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the body of the machine on line a ,2 in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the nozzles. Fig. Sis a detail view of one of the valve mechanisms. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the removable cylindric screen which covers the intake for the pump.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, my machine comprises, in general, a rectangular casing or jacket A; a tank or vat B, supported within the said casing and wherein the pitch, resin, or glue is kept in a liquid state; a furnace O for heating the said tank B; a smoke-box D, inclosing the centrifugal pump E; spraying-nozzles F and F, connected to receive liquid from the pump, and one or more tilting skids G and G, upon which the barrels to be pitched are placed and which serve to operate the valves for controlling and regulating the discharge of pitch from the nozzles.

The casing A is desirably made of metal, and likewise the tank B and the smoke-box D. The furnace 0, located below the tank B, may be of any construction whatever and may be varied to suit the case.

In order to utilize as much of the heat generated by the furnace as possible, a slight space a is provided between the casing A and the side walls of the tank 13. (See Figs. 4 and 6.) The fumes of combustion from the furnace pass over and back of the fire-wall c and escape through the stack (Z by way of the opening 0 and the smoke-box D. The centrifugal pump E is provided with an intake or suction pipe 6 and an outlet or discharge pipe 6', the latter having suitable pipe connections e and e, respectively,with the spraying-nozzles F and F. As it is highly desirable that the melted pitch be kept at a high temperature while being forced through the pump and pipe connections, the pump E could be supported within the tank or vat B or within the furnace-chamber O, and, as a matter of fact, such has been the customary arrangement; but as a matter of special and further improvement I have supported the pump externally to both the tank and the furnace and within the smoke-box D, which latter is provided with a removable end wall at. The said smoke-box is partitioned to provide a couple of chambers 1 and 2, (see Fig. 5,) the former serving as a passage for the smoke and the latter an inclosing chamber for the pump. By this arrangement the pitch while passing through the pump is kept hot by the fumes of combustion from the furnace and convenient access given to the pump for the purpose of making repairs, and a further advantage is that while the fumes of combustion are utilized to keep the pump hot such heating is accomplished without bringing the said fumes in direct contact with the pump.

As a special provision for preventing impuritiessuch as dirt,&c.--from entering the tank, the intake-pipe e is provided with an end piece 6 which extends Within the vat B. (See Fig. 4.) Covering this perforated end piece 6 is a removable cylindric screen II,

which extends from top to bottom of the said vat. This removable screen consists of a length of perforated pipe somewhat larger in diameter than the pipe 6 and is provided at its upper end with a supporting-flange hand a ring h. The said screen, as stated, extends from top to bottom of the pitch-vat and is removed for the purpose of cleaning by way of an opening in which it rests in the top wall of the vat. The perforations in the pipe 6 are desirably somewhat smaller than the perforations in the screen H to better insure the complete removal of all objectionable matters from the pitch before the latter is taken to the pump.

Referring to Fig. 5, the centrifugal pump E is constructed with a long hub 6 which forms a bearing for the shaft e ,which latter is provided with a belt-wheel e for driving the pump. The hub e extends a short distance through the wall of the smoke-box, and in order to prevent leakage of the pitch the outer end of the said hub is provided with an adjustable stuffing-box 6?. An oil-cup e and a pipe 6 are provided,whereby the pump may be lubricated without opening the smokebox.

The spraying-nozzles F and F are arranged to extend upwardly through a couple of cupshaped drip-collectors arranged at the top of the pitch-vat B. By referring to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the pipes e and e, which connect the nozzles with the main dischargepipe 6, have short horizontal portions and that the valves for controlling the discharge of pitch from the'said nozzles are located in said horizontal pipe-sections. pipe (2 is provided with the valve 1, which latter is an exact duplicate of the valve (indicated by I) for the pipe 111 Fig. at. The valve comprises a casing 1' and a verticallyreciprocating valve stem or plunger 2'. A port or passage i is provided at the lower end of the plunger 1', and at the end of the upstroke of the said plunger the said port will register with the ports or openings 2' t which communicate with the pipe 6 and thereby allow the pitch to be projected from the nozzle F. Acasting J, mounted upon the-horizontal portion of the pipe c and provided with a pair of arms j r j, serves as a fulcrum for the lever K, which operates the valve. The said lever is fork-shaped or bifurcated at one end, and the two prongs thus formed straddle the end of the casting J and also the pipe e A pin j is inserted through the casting and the lever and serves as a pivotal point about which the lever vibrates. A slot 1' in the plunger t" receives the end of the lever, and a pin 1' makes connection between the latter and the plunger. As I have previously stated, the valves are automatically operated by reason of suitable connection with the tilting skids, and to such end the bifurcated end of the lever K in Fig; 6'is connected by means of a rod L with the receiving end of the skid G. The said rod is parted in the middle and the screw-threaded ends connected by a take-up Z. By this latter device the said rod may be lengthened or shortened with reference to wear and a proper action of the valve secured.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to 0perate the valves by the Weight of the barrels, as various devices have been proposed for so doing; but in all of the pitching-machines operating in this manner it has been necessary for the attendant to not only lift the barrel onto the machine, but also to lift it off. Further objection to prior methods has been the occasional premature opening of the valve and a consequent discharge of the melted pitch into the air. In my present machine I In Fig. 6 the have overcome'the first objection by providing a tilting skid upon which the barrels are supported and rolled while adjusting them so as to bring their bung-holes directly over the nozzle and along which the barrels can be rolled from the machine after the pitching operation has been completed. Ialso overcome said second objection by automatically locking the skid in its normal positionthat is, with its receiving end somewhat elevated. This permits the barrel to be placed upon the receiving end of the skid, rolled along the latter until it is positioned with its bung-hole directly above the nozzle, and then lowered Without danger of a premature discharge of the hot fluid and consequent injury to the attendant. 13y this method of operation manual manipulation of the barrel is reduced to a minimum, time saved, and the cost of pitching beer-barrels substantially decreased.

In the drawings the two skids are shown in different positions, skidG being shown with its receiving end depressed, thereby bringing the nozzle F within the barrel and opening the valve 1, and skid Gbeing shown with its receiving end up and the valve I consequently closed. Each skid is composed of a couple of parallel and substantially horizonal bars g g, arranged one on either side of the sprayingnozzles. The said bars are united or connected at the receiving end of the skid, so as to form a rigid frame, and a plate g, arranged upon the receiving end of the skid, serves as a platform or rest upon which the barrels are first placed preparatory to adjusting them over the nozzles. The skids are pivotally mounted upon standards I) and are provided with adjustable counterbalancing-weights 9 which tend to keep the skids in their normal position that is to say, with their receiving ends normally elevated. Stops Z) serve to limit the tilting of the skids in one direction, and when in their normal position the skids will rest upon these stops, as shown in Fig. 2.

As hereinbefore stated, in order to prevent premature opening of the valve it is desirable to make some provision whereby a skid may be locked in its normal position until the barrel is adjusted with its bung-hole directly above the nozzle. This may be accomplished in various ways, and I do not limit myself to any particular device; but as a matter of further and special improvement Ihave provided the receiving end of each skid With a swinging or pendent prop g adapted to engage with its distal end one of a series of notches b on the top of the pitch-vat. In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the skid G is locked in its normal position and that the pendent or swinging prop g forms a perpendicular and temporary support for the receiving end of the said skid. The side bars g of the skid too in placing the barrel upon the plate 9, the skid being in its normal position, rolling it along and into the seat formed by the curved portions of the bars, and adjusting it so as to bring the bung-hole directly above the nozzle. The attendant then pulls out the prop 9, thereby permitting the barrel to descend by its own weight and tilt the skid to the po sition shown in Fig. 6. The tilting of the skid serves to open the valve, whereby a suitable quantity of. pitch will be discharged from the nozzle, which latter is now within the barrel. The barrel while being sprayed with the pitch rests partly upon the skid and partly upon the drip-collector M. After a sufficient quantity of pitch has been discharged within the barrel the attendant will raise or tilt the skid to its normal position by grasping the plate g, and the prop will drop into place and automatically lock the skid in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2. A slight push now given the barrel will be sufficient to dislodge it from its seat and cause it to roll down the delivery end of the skid and onto a runway N, along which the barrel will roll to the point desired. i

In addition to the drip-collectors M, arranged to collect the drip from the bung-holes 3 of the barrels, I have also provided means for collecting the drip from the spigot-holes 4. The collectors l\I have openings m, which allow the drip from the bun g-h oles to pass out and return to the vat B by way of a couple of removable screens 0 and P. A removable cover Q (see Figs. 3 and 4) is arranged over and above the said screens and provided with a couple of openings q q. A trough-like receptacle 1, made integral with the cover Q, extends from one to the other of the two collectors M M and serves to collect the drip from the said spigot-holes 4:. By this arrangement it will be seen thatboth the drip from the bung-holes and the drip from the spigot-holes is collected and screened and returned to the vat. The screen 0 is desirably made with holes or perforations somewhat larger than those in the screen I, whereby the pitch is more thoroughly screened before being returned to the vat.

In supplying the vat with pitch, resin, or glue the same is first melted, and when thus reduced to a liquid state it is transferred to the vat B by removing the cover Q and pouring it through the two screens 0 and P. A couple of drip-catches are also provided at each end of the machine, as at 5 5, whereby in case the barrels are by mistake placed upon the machine in a reversed position the drip from the spigot-holes will still be caught and returned to the vat.

A thermometer R serves to indicate temperature, and an outlet-pipe S carries off the gases generated in the vat. It is customary to force the draft in this pipe by introducing a steam-jet, and such may be done in this case, if desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I surface of barrels or kegs, a spraying-nozzle adapted to be introduced within the barrel; means for discharging fluid from the said nozzle; and a tilting skid adapted to receive and support the barrel while the latter is be ing lowered to receive the nozzle, and adapted to tilt and provide an incline alongwhich the barrel can roll after its interior has been sprayed, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels or kegs, a nozzle adapted to be introduced within the barrel; means for supplying the said nozzle with fluid, and a tilting skid having receiving and delivery ends and adapted to support the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive the nozzle, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted to be inserted within the barrel; means for supplying the nozzle with fluid, and a tilting skid having receiving and delivery ends and a seat or depression wherein the barrel rests while being lowered to receive the said nozzle, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted to be introduced within the barrel; means for discharging fluid from the said nozzle, and a tilting skid whereon the barrel is rolled before and after the spraying of its interior, and which is provided with a seat wherein the barrel is supported While being lowered to receive the said nozzle, said seat being formed by the curved portions g of the side bars g, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; means for supplying the said nozzle with fluid; a tilting skid for supportin g the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive thesaid nozzle and having receiving and delivery ends, and means for normally maintaining the receiving end in an elevated position, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; means for projecting fluid from the said nozzle; a vertically-movable frame which forms a support for the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive the nozzle, and the swinging or pendent prop g looking the said frame in an elevated position, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted to be inserted within the barrel; means for discharging fluid from the said nozzle; a tilting skid having receiving and delivery ends, and which forms a support for the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive the said nozzle; means ICC for normally maintaining the receiving end of the said skid in an elevated position, and means for locking the skid in such position, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; means for discharging fluid from the said nozzle; a tilting skid adapted to receive and support the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive the nozzle, and also adapted to tilt and form an incline along which the barrel is rolled after having its interior sprayed; a valve for controlling the discharge of fluid from the said nozzle, and means whereby the tilting of the said skid willoperate to open or close the said valve, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for spraying the interior surfaces of barrels or kegs, a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; a tilting skid adapted to form a support for the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive the said nozzle; a valve for controlling the discharge of fluid from the said nozzle; means whereby the tilting of the said skid will operate to open or close the said valve, and means for locking the said skid in a position whereby the valve is closed,substantially as described.

10. In a machine for spraying the interiors of barrels, a nozzle adapted to be introduced within the barrel; a tilting skid adapted to form a support for the barrel while the latter is being lowered to receive the nozzle; a swinging or pendent prop adapted to lock the receiving end of said skid in an elevated position, and means for supplying the said nozzle with fluid, substantially as described.

11. In a machine for pitching barrels, a fluid-discharge nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; means for supplying the said nozzle with the pitch or other fluid to be used; a tilting skid having a seat wherein the barrel rests while being lowered to receive the nozzle, and provided with receiving and delivery ends over which the barrel is rolled respectively to and from the said seat; means for maintaining the receiving end of said skid in an elevated position, and means for locking the skid in such" position; a valve for controlling the discharge of -fiuid from said nozzle, and means whereby the tilting of said skid will operate to open or close the said valve, substantially as described.

12. In amachine for pitching barrels,a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; a tilting skid which forms a support for the barrel while the latter is being pitched, and which also tilts and forms an incline along which the barrel is rolled after being pitched; a pipe for supplying the said nozzle with the melted pitch or other fluid; a valve in said pipe for controlling the discharge of fluid "from said nozzle; a casting mounted upon said pipe, and a lever fulcrumed upon said casting; means for connecting one end of said lever with the said Valve, and means for connecting the other end of said lever with the means for supplying the nozzle with the fluid pitch; a drip collector or receptacle arranged at the base of said nozzle and upon which the barrel rests while being pitched; a tilting skid comprising a pair of bars arranged one on either side of the said drip-collector, and upon which the barrel is supported while being lowered to receive the said nozzle, sub stantially as described.

14. In a machine for pitching barrels, a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; a tank or vat wherein the pitch is heated and kept in a liquid state; a pump for drawing the pitch from the tank and forcing it out of the said nozzle; a discharge-pipe for the pump leading to the nozzle; an intake or suction pipe connecting the pump with the vat, and a removable tubular or hollow screen arranged to cover the end of said intake-pipe within the vat, said screen being arranged to extend upwardly through the top of said vat, whereby the said screen may be conveniently removed and cleaned without opening the said vat, substantially as described.

15. In a machine for pitching barrels, a tank or vat for holding the pitch; a furnace for heating said vat; a smoke-box having smoke inlet and outlet openings, arranged external to both tank and furnace; a pump arranged within said smoke box; a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; a pipe connection between said pump and said vat, and a pipe or other hollow fluid conductor arranged within the vat and serving to connect the said nozzle with the said pump, substantially as described.

16. In a machine for pitching barrels or the like, a tank or vat for holding the pitch; a furnace for heating said tank; a smoke-box having a couple of chambers, one of which latter is provided with smoke inlet and outlet openings, and the other adapted to form an inclosing chamber for a pump; a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel; a pipe connection arranged within the tank and serving to connect said pump and said nozzle, and a pipe for connecting said pump and said tank or vat, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for pitching barrels, a tank or vat containing the pitch; a furnace for heating said tank; a nozzle adapted for insertion within the barrel and connected to receive melted pitch from the said tank; a drip collector or receptacle l\I arranged at the base of said nozzle; a screening device co1nprising the removable screens 0 and P arranged to receive the drippings g from said collector and through which the same will be returned to the said Vat, and a second receptacle or trough arranged at one side of said first receptacle and adapted to catch the drip pings from the spigot-hole in or near the end of the barrel; said second drip-collector being arranged above said screening device, and having an opening or openings q through which the pitch collected will descend to the vat through said screen, substantially as described.

18. In a machine for pitching barrels, a tank or vat containing the liquid pitch; two nozzles each adapted for insertion within the barrel; a pump connected and arranged for drawing the pitch from the vat and forcing it through the said nozzles; a cup-shaped dripcollector M arranged at the base of each of the two nozzles; a removable screening device comprising two removable screens 0 and P arranged over the vat, and through which the pitch collected by the said drip-collectors will pass on its Way to the vat, and a removable cover Q for said screening device having on its upper side a trough-like receptacle (1 for collecting the drip from the spigot-holes in the ends of the barrels; the said trough being arranged to extend from one to the other of the two cup-shaped drip-collectors,

and having an opening or openings (1 through which the pitch collected will pass downwardly through the screen and into the said Vat, substantially as described.

1.). In a machine for pitching barrels, a tank or vat for holding the melted pitch; a furnace arranged beneath and for heating the said tank; a nozzle adapted forinsertion within the barrel; a smoke-box arranged at one end of said furnace and having inlet and outlet openings; a centrifugal pump supported within said smoke-box; an intake-pipe for connecting said pump and said vat; a discharge-pipe for said pump arranged within said vat, and having suitable pipe connection with said nozzle; and a valve for controlling the discharge of liquid pitch from said nozzle, substantially as described.

CHARLES KAESTNER.

\Vitnesses:

ARTHUR F. DURAND, CHARLES G. PAGE. 

